Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is continuing his regeneration of the club following the £75million signing of Fernando Torres and David Luiz by trying to poach Arsenal’s chief scout Steve Rowley.

And Dutch legend Marco van Basten is also being considered as a potential replacement if manager Carlo Ancelotti is sacked at the end of the season.

On the hunt: Abramovich has his eye on Arsenal's chief scout Steve Rowley

But it is Chelsea’s pursuit of Rowley, responsible for a string of signings, including Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Thomas Vermaelen, which will alarm their London rivals.

Rowley’s record is unparalleled in England, with a string of young players joining Arsene Wenger’s side after being recommended by his scouting network.

Players such as Alex Song Wojciech Szczesny, Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy were all unearthed as youngsters and signed for small amounts.

Chelsea now want Rowley to do the same job for them after director of football Frank Arnesen leaves in the summer. Stamford Bridge is undergoing something of a revolution since Abramovich took a direct interest again with the big Torres and Luiz deals.

Van Basten is a leading candidate to take over if Chelsea’s indifferent form continues. They travel to neighbours Fulham tomorrow, needing a victory to maintain their position as Champions League qualifiers.

Van Basten, one of the greatest strikers ever then Holland’s coach at the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008, put himself in the frame by declaring his readiness to return after a two-year break since quitting Ajax.

He said: ‘I am thinking about a nice big club abroad. It’s logical for me.

‘I have been manager of the national team and Ajax and once you’ve done those jobs it’s awkward to manage another club in Holland.’